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CBS to feature Jonathan Wendel on 60 minutes

January 20, 2006, 3:50 PM EST

In a press release issued by Auravision today, it was announced that the man behind the “Fatal1ty” name will be featured on 60 minutes. CBS will be airing the show at the usual time this Sunday, and one of the segments will feature an interview with Jonathan Wendel, who has been one of the few that have brought deathmatch gaming into the public spotlight. The Fatal1ty name has also been lent to hardware manufacturers for product promotion.

”Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel was excited to be featured on the legendary CBS New magazine. “Of course, I’m tremendously flattered that 60 Minutes would find my life interesting enough to create this program,” stated Wendel. “My hope is that this exposure will raise the interest in competitive video gaming.”
While that sounds good, we can hope that this won't be turned around on gamers, with many people targeting gaming as a source of violence or something to be shunned, rather than a form of competition to be enjoyed. Of course, as technology becomes easier to use and more accepted, it's only natural that the entertainment therein becomes more accepted as well. If you get CBS, you might want to check this week's 60 minutes.

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mentaljedi on January 20, 2006 4:24 PM	i hate it when gamers are seen as being geeks or not having a life. Its wrong and it makes me so angry. Yes, i am very smart (no ego its true) and i love to stay infront of the computer all night but i'm also on the soocer team, basketball team, rubgy team and i am rather popular. I swear, its another form of racism. They think i have some sort of split personality or something!
Vaulden on January 20, 2006 4:42 PM	Who is this Fatal1ty guy? I'm afraid I haven't heard of him before. I've seen that name and spelling on an Abit motherboard, but I was assuming it was just a name they chose randomly?
mav451 on January 20, 2006 5:26 PM	Randomly? I have a feeling he got the name from being an avid Mortal Kombat fan, or at least was exposed to that game. Fatality was a big deal in that game (where you basically perform a finishing move after you have won 2/3 times). In terms of gamers/geeks and the whole violence & video games issue goes...I'll give 60mins a small chance. But as the Justin Mann put it, I would certainly be on edge with Mass Media. Mass Media love spinning things for their own benefit, and hardly ever for the truth. And I'm not talking about just politics, where spin is the most common. Crossing my fingers that gaming is not crucified...
Vaulden on January 20, 2006 5:59 PM	Originally posted by mav451: Randomly? I have a feeling he got the name from being an avid Mortal Kombat fan, or at least was exposed to that game. I was referring the Abit choosing that name for their motherboard (when I saw the motherboard the first time I had not heard of Fatal1ty, so I assumed they just chose a name and made it with leet typing ). Looking at it now I guess he is some big time competitive gamer (well as big as gamers can get), and they chose his name to sell the "ultimate gamer's motherboard" (which I've read mixed reviews about heh). I agree that I'm a bit hesitant to see what they say about gamers. It doesn't matter whether it PC, console, or role-playing... if it's not a physical game the media tends to frown upon it. There's a chance they'll show it as it is... but we will have to wait and see.
nathanskywalker on January 21, 2006 12:28 AM	here's a little interview segment, or something... [link] Well, i don't think that gaming is the sole cause of violence. And really, unless that corrupt nature was already inside of us, the games would not affect us. But i would argue that video games and all kinds of media we consome do indeed affect us. Some more than others, but especially the more violent games, played in excessive amounts are not good for our mental health, and affect you in way you do not even realize, which is why most people say "it's just a game". But anyway... Yeah, just because someone plays video games does not mean you can call that person a loser with no life. Games can be used in moderation as a means of relaxation and such. however in excessive amounts entertainment can become purpose, and having been in that place, i honestly would say "get a life" .
gudel on January 21, 2006 12:30 AM	Jon.. who?
Race on January 21, 2006 2:32 AM	I'm an avid gamer, and this is something I'm definitely going to check out. How often does something like this get prime time coverage on a major network show! As far as it getting "turned around".....there are those whose thinking you're not going to change anyway. That leaves those who could be enlightened.
MonkeyMan on January 21, 2006 9:33 AM	Interesting, I'm glad that this guy is trying to improve the gaming world. As gaming becomes more and more popular around the world, it would be impossible for the media to overlook it. What people do not understand, is that its not only just an online community, you make frienships, that lasts for years, even a lifetime in most cases. You also have long lasting memories, trials, and tribulations, and everything. Online gaming is a form of life, because you experience every aspect of it. Ups, downs, joys, sadness, everything. I've joined a couple of online squads, such as BHD, BF2, and some others. There are memories that will last for a lifetime. Online gaming deserves more than publicity, it deserves honorary recognition.
Cartz on January 21, 2006 10:22 AM	Whilest I don't think that gamers deserve honorary recognition (I reserve that kind of recognition for the truly selfless and heroic) I do believe that we as gamers are being given a bad rap. Let's face it, the gaming industry is a very dominant force in the entertainment industry. I believe I've read reports that say it is as profitable as any Hollywood endeavour. I'm glad that finally a gamer has been able to go 'mainstream' and has a recognized face and name, (not fatal1ty, but Jonathan Wendel) That kind of exposure is sure to encourage others seeking fame to realize that, hey, there is a chance for fame by playing video games! Makes me sad I put my fps's on the shelf for so long, I used to be pretty good.
cyrax on January 21, 2006 11:22 PM	He's very good at what he does and thus should get his time of fame. I hope they don't hammer him with the questions on v.g .violence
exscind on January 21, 2006 11:54 PM	According to Johnathan Wendel, his game name was Fatality. He was a good gamer, but he never really got to the top due to his connection (don't all gamers blame lag when things go bad? ). Then he got a T1 connection line, and he started rising to the top. Hence the "1" in Fatal1ty is from the T1 connection. I don't know how much of the story I buy, but that's what he's sticking to anyway. As for gaming, he is at the top for 1 vs 1 gaming like the Quake series. And while I appreciate that gaming is becoming more popularized and culturally accepted due to people like Fatal1ty, I think it is still too early to have gaming celebrities and icons. There are quite a few other recognized individuals at Fatal1ty's level, but I guess the market found Fatal1ty easier to market to people than the others. But nevertheless, I love how gaming is making its way worldwide; no longer are computer games for nerds and big geeky glasses kids, but actually normal people too!
nathanskywalker on January 22, 2006 12:23 AM	Originally posted by MonkeyMan: Interesting, I'm glad that this guy is trying to improve the gaming world. As gaming becomes more and more popular around the world, it would be impossible for the media to overlook it. What people do not understand, is that its not only just an online community, you make frienships, that lasts for years, even a lifetime in most cases. You also have long lasting memories, trials, and tribulations, and everything. Online gaming is a form of life, because you experience every aspect of it. Ups, downs, joys, sadness, everything. I've joined a couple of online squads, such as BHD, BF2, and some others. There are memories that will last for a lifetime. Online gaming deserves more than publicity, it deserves honorary recognition. I do have to admit, that an it would be really cool if gaming evolved to the point that it became a major "sport". And was became something that really required more skill....not that some games(modern games)don't, but i mean, like more.....like games that required the whole body. So it takes the whole person.....of course only geeks will recognize the skill required at first....but mabye someday...
AeonXX on January 22, 2006 3:56 PM	I can’t be sure this was the “real” Fatal1ty, but I have played a few Deathmatch rounds with someone named Fatal1ty in Unreal Tournament 2004. Needless to say, I didn’t win the round, and I consider myself to be pretty good at the game. He moved in an extremely fast motion and he NEVER walked in a straight line or stopped jumping. I thought the guy was hacking, but he probably tweaked his mouse sensitivity to the near maximum setting. I personally understand the trouble of having a slow connection in competitive gaming; it can literally cripple you, making some games unplayable. I always thought the ‘1’ in Fatal1ty was a reference to him being number one, but I could be wrong. He is really good at the games though, so if you have it, flaunt it. As for gaming being a professional sport, it’s already being done on some TV channels, but it’s a long way off from the Olympics. I do think that it should be elevated to a professional level, because it can take a great deal of mental strategy, and even some physical prowess (ever heard of micro?). For anybody that isn’t very familiar with how gamers think, I suggest you take a look at Pure Pwnage via www.purepwnage.com.
exscind on January 23, 2006 3:11 AM	I was bored so I tuned in to 60 Minutes featuring Jonathan Wendel. The perspective that 60 Minutes took was overall a relief as I thought it was going to be an all-out war on gamers. But it was clear there was a hint of cynicism looming in the background. Even though Fatal1ty is overhyped, as are all of his signature products, he is still a good figure to push gaming into the big stage. Never had people thought people are being paid for playing computer games. But with CPL (Cyberathletic Profession League) and other sponsors, it did happen. I thought it was funny how Fatal1ty was referred in 60 Minutes as the Babe Ruth of e-sports. A bit overdramatic, but perhaps fitting to be honest.
JMag034 on January 23, 2006 5:28 PM	Wow, they had Halo 2 star Lil Poison on there and I owned him on Xbox Live..thats not fair